Woosnam eyes successful first foray to Mottram Hall

5/1/2013 12:00:00 AM

Ian Woosnam (Getty Images)

Ian Woosnam is hoping his first visit to De Vere Mottram Hall is a winning one when he competes in the ISPA Handa PGA Seniors Championship from June 6-9.

The 2006 Ryder Cup-winning Captain will go in search of his first Senior Tour title for two years when the prestigious tournament takes place at the recently-renovated Mottram St Andrew venue for the first time.

The ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship will mark the first regular tournament of the 2013 season for Woosnam, who competed in the Masters Tournament three weeks ago and will tee up in the US Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid next month.

Woosnam has finished in the top 15 in all four of his previous appearances in the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship, which dates back to 1957 and is the longest-running tournament on the Senior Tour Schedule.

His best performance in the event was tied tenth in 2009, when Carl Mason took the title for the third time.

Woosnam’s last victory was in the 2011 Berenberg Bank Masters and, after coming close to adding to his haul of four Senior Tour titles last season, the Welshman is determined to get his 2013 season off to the best possible start in Cheshire.

He said: “Although I used to live only an hour away in Oswestry, I never got the opportunity to play Mottram Hall so I’m looking forward to my first visit to what will be another new venue for the Senior Tour.

“The PGA Seniors Championship is one of the oldest and most prestigious tournaments on our Tour, so it would be a good one to win. I’ve played well in the tournament in the past without really getting myself into contention, but hopefully I can have a decent run at it this year.

“Augusta was a challenging week, especially being my first week out on Tour, so I’m looking forward to playing again in Europe. I’m sure we’ll get good crowds coming along to watch some past Ryder Cup players and legends of the Tour.”

Last year’s ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Champion was Englishman Paul Wesselingh, who went on to finish fifth on the Order of Merit and was named the 2012 Rookie of the Year.

Other notable names to have lifted the trophy include Sam Torrance, the winner in 2005 and 2006, and his fellow Scot Andrew Oldcorn, who triumphed in 2011.

Advance tickets for the 57th edition of the tournament are currently available at a discounted rate, priced £10 for any one day ticket (a saving of £5 on the gate price) and £25 for a season ticket (a saving of £10 on the gate price).

Customers booking in advance will also receive a free programme and drawsheet.

Tickets are available by calling 0800 023 2557, or alternatively you can click here